Wrench for spark plugs and the like



25, 1942- H. H. MERRIMAN 3 WRENCH FOR SPARK PLUGS AND THE LIKE FiledJune 10, 1940 1N VENTOR,

HENRY H. NEWMAN ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 25, 1942 UNITED STATES Henr H.Merriman, Jackson, Mich, assignor to Mechanics Engineering Company,Jackson,

Mich.

Application June 10, 1940, Serial No. 339,653

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in wrenches for spark plugs andthe like.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a wrench by means of which spark plugs may be quicklyand easily removed with little likelihood of injuring the spark plug.

Second, to provide a Wrench socket member for use in removing andplacing spark plugs and the like which protects the porcelain and otherparts of the spark plug which are likely to be broken or injured, andalso facilitates the removal and placement of spark plugs in positionswhich are not conveniently accessible.

Third, to provide a wrench socket member of the class described which isadapted not only to hold the work in placing, bu to prevent dropping,and is also adapted to serve as a holder for cleaning the spark plug.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of the invention willdefinitely appear from the description to follow. The invention isdefined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of the invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a central longitudinal section of an embodiment of theinvention as embodied in a wrench socket for spark plugs with a sparkplug in position therein.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of my improved socket member asapplied to a ratchet wrench.

The Wrench socket of this invention is especially desirable for use inconnection with a reversible ratchet wrench of the type illustrated inapplication Serial No. 325,528, filed March 23, 1940, by Henry H.Merriman and C. D. Burbank.

In the accompanying drawing the reference numeral I indicates areversible socket Wrench of the type illustrated in that application,the spindle 2 being adjustable to be extended at either side of theWrench to secure the reverse operation. My improved wrench socket membercomprises a tubular body portion 3 of substantial length and adapted toreceive the major portion of a spark plug 4, the spark plug illustratedbeing one of the types of spark plugs now very extensively used. Thisimproved socket member has a spindle receiving socket 5 at its inner endadapted to receive the spindle 2 of the Wrench. At its outer end Iprovide the member 3 with a suitably internally conformed socket 6adapted to engage the non-circular portion 1 of the spark plug.

Seated within the member 3 intermediate these sockets 5 and '6 is atubular cushioning and retaining element 8. This is preferably molded ofrubber of suitable resilience and is provided with a restricted portion9 adapted .to yieldably receive the binding post Ill of the spark plug.This serves the double purpose of retaining the spark plug within thesocket member and also supporting the spark plug so that its porcelainand other frangible portion I is prevented from coming into contact withthe Walls of the socket member, which might crack or break the same.This also tends to hold the spark plug in a yieldable center position topermit its being directed into the threaded bore provided for it in thecylinder head, and at the same time it may yield somewhat in the eventthe operator twists or cants the Wrench so that breakage does not resultfrom such manipulation.

When my improved wrench socket member is employed with a reversiblewrench of the type of the above mentioned application, spark plugs maybe very quickly inserted and removed and this work canbe done on a hotengine as it is unnecessary to touch the engine parts and the spark plugmay be easily guided to position. Further, the wrench socket member maybe used to hold the spark plugs for cleaning.

Structures embodying my invention are desirable and well adapted bothfor new Work and repair work. The device is very desirable for use inservice stations, as it makes rapid work possible.

I have illustrated and described the invention in embodiments which Iconsider very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describeother embodiments which I contemplate, as it is believed this disclosurewill enable those skilled in the art to adapt the invention as may bedesired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A wrench socket member comprising a tu bular body portion ofsubstantial length and adapted to receive the major portion of a sparkplug and having a driving spindle receiving socket at its inner end anda non-circular spark plug engaging socket at its outer end, and atubular cushioning member of rubber seated within said body portionbetween said sockets and having an internally restricted annular portionintermediate the ends thereof adapted to yieldably receive andrestrainingly grip the annularly undercut portion of the binding post ofa spark plug, said restricted annular portion of the cushioning memberyielding and snapping over the end of the binding post into snugretaining engagement with said undercut portion thereof.

2. A Wrench member comprising a chambered body portion adapted toreceive the major portion of a spark plug and having a non-circularspark plug engaging socket at its outer end, and a resilient tubularcushioning member seated within said body portion above said socket and10 having an internally restricted annular portion intermediate the endsthereof adapted to yieldably receive and restrainingly grip a bindingpost of a spark plug which is annularly undercut adjacent its tip, saidrestricted portions of the cushioning member yielding and snapping oversaid tips into snug retaining engagement with the undercut portion ofthe post adjacent said tip.

HENRY H. MERRIMAN.

